Fast burning type candle



P 1933. L. J. CONKLING Re. 18,938

ms'r BURN-INC: TYPE CANDLE ori inal Filed March so, 1932 INVENTOR.LESTER J COIYAL/IYG ATTORNEY5 Reissued Sept. 5, 1933 UNITED STATESPATENT? OFFICE Original No. 1,895,149,

dated January 24, 1933,

Serial No. 602,015, March 30, 1932. Application for reissue May 6, 1933.Serial No. 669,668

33 Claims.

(Granted under the Act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) The invention relates toirritant gas producing devices and more particularly has reference to afast burning type of grenade or candle.

In general, grenades of this nature heretofore 5 employed have been ofthe slow burning type.

While these grenades are effective in producing a gas cloud of desiredvolume, because of their slow burning rate, they may be safely picked upand thrown back at the original thrower. Obvi'ously this changes theposition of the person attacking to that of the person attacked.

Other defects inherent in grenades employed in the past reside in thefact that they are not ignited the instant they strike the ground norare they provided with sufficient outlets so distributed on thecontainer for the candle, that the gas generated may be readily andeffusively emitted therefrom.

It will hence be apparent that the major object of my invention is toprovide a fast burning type of gas producing candle which lacks theinherent disadvantages of similar devices disclosed in the prior art.

An equally important object of the invention is the provision of agrenade loaded with a gas producing filler formed so as to have anenlarged burning area.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a grenade,- the gasproducing mixture of which is provided with a plurality of grooves orslots extending along its outer surface, from one end thereof toanother.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a container for a gasproducing candle provided with rows of openings in the wall of thecontainer extending to the base thereof and provided with openings inthe top.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a quick burningtype of candle having a filling which is provided with a plurality ofslots extending along its surface, the top surface and slots of thefiller being coated with a starter paste.

A further object of the invention is to devise a gas producing grenadeincluding a container for a gas producing mixture or filling, themixture being provided with a plurality of slots extending along itsentire surface adjacent the inner periphery of the container and thecontainer walls being provided with a row of openings adjacent eachgroove in the mixture and communicating therewith.

A still further object of my invention is the employment with a gasproducing grenade of a filling including lacrimating or toxic materialor a combination of both which is loaded therein under pressure withoutthe use of heat and a colloiding or binding substance and is so formedas to leave slots extending along the longitudinal surface of thefilling.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to myimprovements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to behereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that theseveral necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied inconstruction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

As already noted, the invention comprehends the provision of a fastburning type of gas producing candle or grenade. One manner ofpractically effecting the concept of my invention is the provision of acontainer for a gas producing mixture or filling. This mixture whichincludes a fuel and a lacrimatory or toxic compound or both, aftermixing without heating and without the use of colloiding or bindingsubstances is loaded into the container under pressure so as to form acake. To the end that a fast burning fillingmay be provided theperiphery of the mixture cake is provided with a plurality of slots orgrooves extending the full length thereof, each groove as well as thetop of the cake being coated with a suitable starter substance. Adjacenteach groove and cut through the walls of the container is a row ofopenings for the purpose of allowing the gases generated on ignition ofthe mixture to be emitted from the grenade.

The invention also includes the provision of a top for the containerhaving a plurality of openings to allow the emission of gases from thegrenade, the top being constructed so as to permit the mounting thereonof suitable firing mechanism for igniting the filler in the container.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown, inthe accompanying drawing, means for carrying the same into practicaleffect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications tothe particular con- 1 structions which, for the purposes of explanation,have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a top plan of the candle forming the subject matter of myinvention.

Figure 2 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view of the grenade shownin Figure 1.

Throughout the drawing similar reference numerals refer to like parts inthe different views. In Figures 1 and 2, the grenade or candle disclosedcomprises a container having a top and base. The container, designatedby the reference numeral 1,-is provided with a plurality of rows ofholes 2 in the walls thereof, three rows of outlets preferably beingemployed. In addition to the openings 2, provided in the body of thecontainer, it may be noted that the top 3 is also provided with outlets5 and if found desirable similar openings in the base may be employed.Each opening or outlet in the container is normally covered by strips ofadhesive tape 10 though other materials and means for closing theopenings prior to the functioning of the grenade may be employed ifdesired.

Associated with the container and supported upon an adapter 4 carried onthe container top 3 is a suitable firing mechanism 9, including theusual firing pin and primer 11. In connection with the firing device 9,it has been found that a bouchon mechanism modified to give a two-seconddelay functions successfully for the purposes desired. However, I do notwish to limit myself to any particular firing mechanism inasmuch as itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that any device which willignite the charge within the grenade may be successfully employed.

The container 1 is loaded with a filling 6, placed therein underpressure of approximately fortyseven hundred pounds per square inch.Other loading pressures may, of course, beemployed without departingfrom the scope of my invention. This mixture or filling 6 is so loadedinto the container that for each row of outlets 2 a groove or slot 7 isleft extending down the entire 36' length of the surface of the filling,each slot being positioned so that it is opposite one of the rows ofopenings in the container wall.

On the top of the mixture 6 and extending downward through the slots 7so as to cover their i 40 surface, is a layer of starter 8. The firingmechanism 9, as previously noted, is preferably given about a two-seconddelay between the striking of the primer 11 associated therewith and theignition of the starter 8. This delay, it should be observed, causes thecandle to function about the time it comes to rest on the ground afterit has been thrown.

In making these candles a lacrimator or toxic or a combination of both,smokeless powder (preferably a bulk powder) and a stabilizer, such asmagnesium oxide are thoroughly mixed and pressed into the containerunder hydraulic pressure, a smooth firm cake being obtained without theaid of heat or colloiding substances. Suitable gas producing substancesare chloracetophenone or diphenylaminechlorarsine or both, the formerbeing commonly called CN, and thellatter being known as DM. However, Iwish it to be understood that the scope of my disclosure is 69 notlimited to the use of these two substances only as other irritant andtoxic compounds may readily be employed in forming the gas produc- 1 8mixture.

The slots or grooves '7 are formed in the mixture at the time of loadingby leaving tapered cores consists of black meal Powder and celluloid"acetone binder. It is to be especiallynoted that the starter covers thesurface of the grooves 7.

If desired a burning hole through the center of the mixture or cake 6may be provided for the purpose of speeding up the rate of burning ofthe candle. Whenmaking use of such an expedient, the starter is allowedto run down the hole in the center of the mixture cake. However, whilethe use of a burning hole through the center of a candle results in ashorter time of burning, some decomposition of the chloracetophenone,when used, has been found to take place.

The candle is operated by firing the mechanism which after a delay firesthe starter, this in turn igniting the mixture in the candle. As thefuel burns, the lacrimator or toxic or both as the case may be, is orare distilled off and the gases pass out through the openings in thebody and the top of the container. The emission of a large volume ofgas, in the short time period of approximately 20 to 30 seconds, throughthe side and top openings prevent this candle from being picked up andthrown back. By reason of these slots or grooves in the sides of themixture cake. it will be appreciated that the burning area of themixture is increased and the time rate of burning speeded up.

Furthermore, due to the rapid combustion of the starter substance andthe gas emitting cartridge or mass in proximity to the container. thewalls of the container very quickly become too hot to handle withoutburning ones hands. This feature further prevents the picking up andthrowing back of my fast burning candle once the burning has started.

For each row of openings in the body of the container, a groove or slotin the surface of the mixture cake positioned so as to be opposite a rowof openings is provided. It has been found-that a grenade provided withthree rows of openings in the container having six holes of inchdiameter ineach row with corresponding tapering grooves of an inch wideat the top and of an inch wide at the bottom, is highly efiicient andsatisfactory. In addition to these openings or outlets, six inchdiameter holes are formed in the container top.

Of course, the number and diameter of the openings in each row and inthe containerv top. may be varied to a greater or less extent as desiredand as mentioned outlets in the base of the container may be added.Likewise, the number of rows of openings in the container body may bevaried. Similarly a variation in the cross section and number of groovesin the mixture 7 may be made. Departure from the number and size of theopenings and grooves shown is well within the scope of the invention andthe spirit of the appended claims. Not only the rate of burning of themixture will be affected, but also the pressure at which the gas isexpelled will vary, which later, it may be found necessary to vary tomeet all demands and requirements for particular purformed therein. Astarter was poured over the top of the mixture and ignition was obtainedby means of a bouchon type mechanism giving a twosecond delay. Evolutionof the gas was through the top of the container, the center of the holesbeing about of an inch below the bend of the container top. In thisinstance, a very heavy cloud of gas vapors was given off for about oneminute.

A second experiment employing a candle like that shown in the presentdrawing but provided with only one slot 7 and one row of openings 2having six holes to the row was also made. Outlets in the container topwere also provided. The burning time of the mixture was reduced from oneminute, noted in the first experiment above, to 40 seconds. Such a timeperiod was short enough to prevent the candle from being picked up by aperson so as to allow him to throw it back.

By the use of three slots with a row of openings for each groove in thebody of the container, exactly as shown in the present drawing, theburning time of the candle was further reduced, in this instance, to atime period of from 20 to 30 seconds.

Other tests with the candle which I have disclosed to determine theeffects obtained from dropping or throwing it on concrete from variousheights, showed that when dropped from an elevation of 35 feet, thecandle functioned satisfactorily. This distance was increased to 45feet. 01' three candles dropped on concrete from this latter height, twofunctioned satisfactorily while one exploded, probably due to thebreaking up of the mixture on impact. Similarly, two candles dropped onconcrete from a height of feet exploded on impact although both candleshad started functioning before they struck.

From the foregoing description it may be appreciated that I have devisedan efiicient candle or grenade having an exceedingly fast burning timeresulting in a rapid evolution of gas and the container becoming so hotas to prevent it from being picked up after it has been thrown. Byreason of the starting mechanism the candle is ignited on impact andbecause of the construction of the mixture cake and container, that isto say the grooves in the mixture with the corresponding rows oropenings in the container body, a thick gaseous vapor is produced for 20or 30 seconds. Moreover, from the nature of the fuel employed, and themanner of loading, it may be observed that I have provided a quickburning type of candle which may be readily and easily manufactured.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself tothe precise details of construction herein set forth, by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may bemade therein,

by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of theinvention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a candle having a container provided with outlets and afiring mechanism, a filling for said container, said filling beingprovided with a plurality of slots on the surface thereof adjacent thewall of the container body, and a starter sub stance within said slots.v

2. In a candle having a container provided with outlets a filling forsaid container including a fuel, a lacrimatory and a toxic substancesaid filling being provided with a plurality of slots on the surfacethereof adjacent the wall of the container, a starter substance closelyadjacent each slot and means associated with the container for firingthe starter to cause ignition of the filling.

3. In a candle having a container provided with outlets, a fillingtherefor loaded into the container under pressure and in such manner asto provide the sides of said filling adjacent the wall of the containerbody with a plurality of slots, a starter substance. positioned in theslots in said filling, and means associated with the container forfiring the starter substance to cause ignition of the filling.

4. In a candle having a container provided with outlets, a filling forthe container including a fuel and a substance capable of producing agas on ignition loaded into the container under pressure, said fillinghaving longitudinal separated areas spaced from said container, 2.starter substance in said longitudinal areas, and means associated withthe container forming the starter to cause ignition of the filling.

5. In a candle having a container provided with outlets, a filling forthe container including a fuel and substances capable of generating agas on ignition loaded into the container under pressure in such manneras to provide the side of said filling adjacent the wall of thecontainer body with a plurality of slots, a starter substance, adjacentto said slots and on the top of'the filling, and

means associated with the container for firing the starter substance tocause ignition of the filling.

6. In a candle having a container provided with outlets, a fillingtherefor including a fuel and chloracetophenone mixed cold and loadedinto the container under pressure in such manner as to provide the sidesof said filling adjacent the walls of the container body with aplurality of slots, a starter substance coated on the filling withinsaid slots, and means associated with the container for firing thestarter substance to cause ignition of the filling.

7. In a candle having a container provided with outlets, a fillingtherefor including a fuel and diphenylaminechlorarsine mixed cold andloaded into the container under pressure in such manner as to providethe sides of said filling adjacent the wall of the container body with aplurality of slots, a starter substance, each of said slots being coatedwith said starter substance, and means associated with the container forfiring the starter to cause ignition of the filling.

8. In a candle having a container provided with outlets, a fillingtherefor including a. fuel, chloracetophenone, anddiphenylaminechlorarsine mixed cold and loaded into the container underpressure in such manner as to provide the sides of said filling adjacentthe walls of the container body with a plurality ofslots, each of saidslots being coated with a starter substance, and means associated withthe container for firing the starter substance to cause ignition of thefilling.

9. A candle comprising a container, a filling for said container, saidfilling being provided with a plurality of slots on the surface thereofadjacent the walls of the container body, said container having the wallthereof provided with a plurality of rows of openings, a row of saidopenings being adjacent and communicating with each slot in the filling,a starter substance within each slot, and means associated with thecontainer for firing said starter substance and igniting the filling.

10. A candle comprising a container, a filling for said container, saidfilling being provided with a plurality of slots on the surface thereofadjacent the wall of the container body and extending longitudinally ofthe filling, said container having a top provided with a plurality ofopenings, the wall of said container body being provided with aplurality of rows of openings, each row extending from the top to thebottom of the container and being adjacent and communicating with a slotin said filling, a starter substance coating each of said slots, andmeans associated with the container for firing said starter substanceand igniting the filling.

11. A candle comprising a container, a filling for said container, saidfilling being provided with a plurality of slots on the surface thereofadjacent the walls of the container body, said container having a topprovided with a plurality of openings, the wall of the container bodybeing provided with a plurality of rows of openings extending from thetop to the bottom of said container, each of said rows of openings inthe container body being adjacent and communicating with a slot in saidfilling, each of said slots and the top of said filling being coatedwith a starter mixture, and means associated with the container forfiring said starter substance and igniting the filling.

12. A candle comprising a. container, a top and a filling for thecontainer, the filling for the container including a fuel and asubstance capable of producing a gas on ignition loaded into thecontainer under pressure in such a manner as to provide the sides ofsaid filling adjacent the walls of the container body with a pluralityof slots of a length equal to the filling, said container having a wallof the body thereof provided with a plurality of rows of openings and,the top of said container being also provided with openings, each ofsaid rows of openings in the container body being adjacent andcommunicating with a slot in said filling, each of said slots and thetop of said filling being coated with a starter mixture, and meansassociated with the container for firing said starter substance andigniting the filling.

13. A candle comprising a container, a top and a filling for thecontainer, the filling for the container including a fuel and substancecapable of producing a gas'onignition loaded into the container underpressure in such a manner as to provide the sides of said fillingadjacent the walls of the container body with a plurality of slots, saidcontainer having a wall of the body thereof provided with a plurality ofrows of openings, and the top of said container being also provided withopenings, each of said rows of openings in the container body beingadjacent and communicating with a slot in said filling, each of saidslots and the top of said filling being coated with a starter mixture,and means associated with the container for firing said starter andigniting the filling.

14. A candle comprising a container provided with a plurality ofoutlets, a filling therefor loaded into said container, said fillingbeing spaced from the wall of said container at a plurality of ignitableareas, a starter substance, said starter substance being positioned inproximity to said areas, and means to ignite said starter substance.

15. In a fast burning candle, an exposed container provided with aplurality of outlets, a filling for said container capable of producinga gas on ignition thereof, said filling being in contact with the majorportion of the wall of said container and provided with a longitudinallyextending igniting area out of contact with the wall of said container,a starter substance, said starter substance being adjacent said ignitingarea, and means for firing said starter substance.

16. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein at least some of theoutlets in said container are closely adjacent to and substantiallycoextensive with said igniting area.

1'1. In a fast burning candle, a container, :1. filling for saidcontainer including a fuel, said filling being in contact with asubstantial portion of the inner wall of said container, and havingareas spaced from said inner wall, said container having a group ofoutlets in communication with the spaces provided by each of said areas,a starter substance in said container, and means for firing said startersubstance.

18. In a fast burning device of the class described, a container, acombustible filling conforming substantially to the inner surface ofsaid container and having a longitudinally extending combustible areaspaced from the wall of said container, said container having aplurality of openings substantially coextensive with said area and inalignment therewith, a starter substance in said container, and meansfor firing said starter substance.

19. In a fast burning device of the class described, a container, acombustible filling therein spaced from the top of said container andconforming substantially to the inner surface'of the lower portion ofsaid container, said filling having a plurality of longitudinalcombustible areas spaced from the wall of said container, a startersubstance on top of said filling, and means for firing said startersubstance.

20. In a fast burning candle, a container having a plurality of groupsof outlets, destructible closures over said outlets, a combustiblefilling for said container capable of producing a gas on ignition, saidfilling having a plurality of combustible areas spaced from thecontainer each in alignment with one group of outlets, and a startersubstance to ignite said filling.

21. In a fast burning candle, a container provided with a plurality ofoutlets, a combustible filling in said container in contact with asubstantial portion of the inner surface of said container, but spacedtherefrom to provide a longitudinal ignitible area on the periphery ofsaid filling, a starter substance closely adjacent said ignitible area,and means to ignite said starter substance.

22. .In a fast burning candle, a container having a plurality of groupsof outlets, a combustible filling for said container in contact with theimperforate inner surface of said container, said filling having aplurality of separate ignitible areas on the periphery thereof each inalignment with a group of outlets, and a starter substance adjacent eachignitible area.

23. In a fast burning candle, a container, a combustible fillingtherefor spaced from the top of said container, said filling having aplurality of longitudinally extending grooves in its periphery toprovide ignitible areas spaced from the wall of said container, saidgrooves'communicating with the space above said filling, a plurality ofoutlets in alignment with each groove, and a area, the wall of saidcontainer having a plurality of openings in proximate relation to saidarea whereby rapid combustion and omission of gas through said openingstakes place, and means for firing said starter substance.

25. A fast burning candle adapted to be thrown by an operator and soconstructed that it can not be picked up and thrown after firingcomprising a container having top, bottom and side walls, a combustiblegas emitting cartridge within the container, said cartridge having arapid combustion area spaced from the side wall of said container, astarter substance within said container and in substantial contact withat least a portion of said area, said container having a plurality ofopenings in its side wall in proximate relation to said area wherebyrapid combustion and emission of gas through said openings takes place,and means for firing said starter substance.

26. A fast burning candle adapted to be thrown and so constructed thatit cannot be picked up and thrown after firing, comprising a containerhaving top, bottom and side walls, a combustible gas emitting cartridgewithin said container, said cartridge having rapid combustion areasspaced from the top of said container and. from the side wall thereof,said areas being in communication, a starter substance on said areas,said container having a plurality of temporarily sealed outlets in theside wall thereof whereby rapid combustion and emission of gas takesplace upon firing, and means to fire said starter substance.

27. The invention as defined in claim 26 wherein the means to fire saidstarter substance is in proximate relation to the area spaced from thetop of said container whereby ignition occurs first at this area andthen rapidly proceeds down the side of said cartridge.

28. The invention as defined in claim 26 wherein the means to fire saidstarter substance is in firing relation to one of said areas, combustionthen proceeding rapidly to another area.

29. In a fast burning device of the class described, a container, acombustible mass within said container and having a longitudinallyextending combustible area spaced from the wall of said container, saidcontainer having a plurality of openings provided with destructibleseals, said openings located longitudinally on the body of saidcontainer and in operative relation to portions of said combustiblearea, a starter substance in said container, and means for firing saidstarter 80 substance.

30. In a fast burning candle, a container having a plurality of groupsof outlets, destructible closures over saidoutlets, a combustible massin said container capable of producing a gas on ignition, said masshaving a plurality of combustible areas, said areas spaced from thecontainer and in operative relation with said outlets, and a startersubstance to ignite the said filling.

31. A fast burning candle comprising a container having a side wall andtop and bottom closures, a combustible gas emitting mass in thecontainer, said mass being provided with a combustible area spaced fromand out of contact with the surface of the side wall of the container, astarter substance covering the said combustible area, the side wall ofsaid container having a plurality of openings in proximate relation tothe said combustible area whereby rapid combustion and emission of gastakes place proximate to said openings and rapidly escapes therethrough,and means for firing said starter substance.

32. In a fast burning candle, a container having a plurality of groupsof outlets, destructible closures over said outlets, a combustiblecharge for said container capable of producing a gas on ignition, saidcharge having a plurality of combustible areas spaced from thecontainer, some of said areas in alignment with said groups of outlets,and a starter substance to ignite said combustible charge.

33. Ina fast burning candle, a container having a plurality of groups ofoutlets, destructible closures over said outlets, a combustible chargefor said container capable of producing a gas on ignition, said chargehaving a plurality of combustible areas spaced from the container, someof said areas in proximity to said groups of outlets, and a startersubstance to ignite said combustible charge.

LESTER J. CONKLING.

